We are a grassroots, volunteer-led coalition of Coloradans who are working toward a safer, healthier future for our state.
Oil and gas fracking in Colorado causes serious health issues, air, land and water pollution, and climate change. We are committed to stopping the expansion of oil and gas fracking by phasing out new permits by the year 2030 and transitioning to clean, renewable energy.
Coloradans from all walks of life share a common concern. Fracking in Colorado is threatening our health, safety, and quality of life. The oil and gas industry is the #1 source pollution in Colorado causing the climate crisis, our severe ozone air issues, and toxic air pollution. The more fracking Colorado allows, the more polluted and toxic our air and water becomes, burdening future generations with the cleanup and worsening climate disasters. Fracking emits pollution that overheats our atmosphere, causing more wildfires, droughts, and extreme weather. The longer we delay action, the harder it will be to transition to a clean, revitalized economy.
The U.N. has declared a clean and healthy environment to be a human right. Coloradans should not be held hostage to industry profits. Oil and gas companies already have over 48,000 active wells in Colorado and about 1,000 new wells are permitted each year, despite the fact that we are not on track to meet our climate or air quality goals. The industry is expanding into population centers and disproportionately impacted communities. The industry exports ~40% of the oil and ~75% of the gas out of Colorado. So they get the profits, while we get the pollution.
We deserve better. Safe and Healthy Colorado is organizing for solutions to stop the expansion of fracking, hold the industry accountable for their pollution, clean up the air and water, protect communities that have been harmed disproportionately by fracking, support industry workers and dependent communities in transition, and stop pouring climate-heating gases into our atmosphere. A better, cleaner, safer future is possible – solutions exist! People power can make it happen, so please join the movement by adding your name, your time and/or your financial support!
Please join us by signing our open letter of support, which calls for bold action to protect Colorado’s health, climate, and future. Thank you!
Our History
Safe & Healthy Colorado is a coalition of grassroots organizations born from the will of the people of Colorado and the visionary leadership of long-time local organizers. We exist to create a future in which all Coloradans have clean air, clean water, clean energy, and a livable climate.
We believe in people power. Time and again, our volunteers have risen up to protest ineffective fracking regulations and demand that health and safety come first. In 2019, our pressure for stronger oil and gas regulation led to legislation resulting in new legislation and the first-ever denials of drilling permits in Colorado.
No Coloradan should live in an industry sacrifice zone. That is why we fought for 2,500-foot safety zones between fracking and homes and schools. While these setbacks were finally increased from 500 feet to 2,000 feet in 2021, loopholes still exist. We know greater protection is needed to safeguard our health, our communities, and our children’s futures.
The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (formerly the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) is continuing to approve fracking permits. This is unacceptable. We need evidence-based statewide regulations that put the health and safety of Coloradans first.
We are standing up for the protections and the future that Coloradans deserve.
Learn more about efforts to increase Safety Zones between fracking and our homes, schools and other occupied buildings here.